The U.S .will pull out all the stops to isolate Iran. It will do this because a) it’s worried about their nuclear ambitions and b) the U.S. has not forgotten the hostage taking of U.S. embassy employees which was regarded here as an act of war and which was sort of forgiven had Iran apologized and played a straight game since, but it didn’t and it isn’t. Now, because current leaders were actors within the hostage taking and are now fanning the flames of confrontation, the U.S. position will be to ratchet up the nuclear issue with Iran. This time, there are no hostages to take, plus Iran is regarded as a haven for terrorists. Also, unless there is total stopping of enrichment, this escalation likely will significantly affect trade with all opposing countries. There China will lose the most if it opposes sanctions because of the strong feeling within the U.S. we are getting a raw deal on trade with China. U.S. destined production within China will gradually pull out and locate elsewhere since having a made in China stamp could come to mean it can’t be shipped to the U.S. And, China’s emerging and potentially vital western oil sources in this hemisphere, by far the largest proven global oil reserves as tar sands, oil shale, and heavy oil, will be totally jeopardized. And the U.S. does not care that much about trade with Russia, although we would like to see more but now will not if they vote against sanctions. Russia too has longer range and higher interests in aligning with the West. The U.S. respects Russia’s technological prowess and both can benefit with technology exchange and trade. Terrorists in Russia likely supported by Iran are a periodic thorn in their side as well. It’s more logical to totally isolate Iran and let only Iran suffer the consequences. In short, Iran is very serious business to the U.S., perhaps more so than China and Russia realize. Before Iran plays this card, and before China and Russia go along, they should consider all the ramifications carefully. One thing is sure, the U.S. is serious on this, it will not back down this time.

will rise in sanctions r imposed on the oil-rich country.

osama ben laden is now supposed to be in iran. i heard this tonight on the radio. makes some sense, he can hardly be living in a cave and making speeches and videos. america better get busy and hit iran's underground nukes. time waits for no man and freedom must be fought for.

Lloyd, USA: I believe that you have hit the nail on the head with your commentary. You stated my feelings exactly and probably the feelings of millions of Americans and freedom believing people around the world. I know that I have not forgotten Iran's act of war against the USA during the hostage crisis under the Carter administration. #3 America does not get a drop of Iranian oil and I don't care if oil goes up because of sanctions. High oil prices are worth the economic choke hold on Iran. American's like many other westerners are a people that know how to adapt because we have something called vision which the leadership of Iran and it's cohort extremist lack. Iran may be good at over running embassies and taking innocent people hostage but they will never be able to take the world hostage either by energy or by nuclear threat.

Wars for no Particular Reason..... the Hallmark of the Bush Administration. Sanctions... War by economic means....

I don't know about you, but if my country is threatened to be wiped off the map, that's a great reason to go to war. The US is not only looking to protect ISrael, but also the rest of the world. If we left that jobh to cowardly appeasers, tehn the world would be a different place right now...something you will never understand. your views are very naive and narrow minded. You under-estimate people's ability to be evil.

Iran has already publically declared war on Israel and the United States. Now, if someone aimed a gun at you saying they would kill you would you wait for them to pull the trigger first?

There are no secret or "dubious" economic or commercial connections with Iran. Iran's transactions with the rest of the wold are legal, transparent and open. The United States is going to be embarrased for the umpteenth time for speaking from both sides of its mouth. The "dubious" connections which the US is talking about all were instigated by the West and against the Zionist planned prescribed sanctions. Even Martin Indyk, the Zionist traitor who penetrated the US administration during Bill Clinton's presidency, has confessed that his containment and sanction plans are useless. Iran has nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of. Iran is not occupying any country, it is not assasinating and killing civilians every day and has no apartheid. You cannot say this about Israel.

denying the fact that your President openly says to the whole world that he wants to "wipe Israel off the map" Do you think that this is a joke??? Do you expect other countries, especially Israel, to just ignore this??? If you do, than you are in for a surprise. I would start digging and building your bunker now.